East Coast Tour

This is our SELF-GUIDED TOUR along the breathtaking East coast of Tasmania.

This tour is our bestseller: You will cycle the 'classic' tourist route along Tasmania´s breathtaking Eastcoast, passing many outstanding empty white beaches in a mild, and mostly dry and sunny climate. You will have the possibility to visit the famous Freycinet national park by shuttle bus on a "day off". There are some hills between Richmond and Orford, the rest is undulated. Experienced cyclists will find this tour easy to manage, however it depends a lot on the wind direction on that day.

Prices, Terms & Itinerary

Start- / Endpoint

Hobart / St. Helens

Duration

8 days, 7 nights (without flight)

Season

from mid October to mid April

Departure dates

any day of your choice

see Hobart restrictions

Accommodation category

Price per person

booking code

Hostel / Budget category

$ 690 sharing

5 d

Economy category

$ 1,040 twin share

5 c

Comfort category

$1,460 twin share

5 a

Executive category

$1,890 twin share

5 b

Optional

bike hire incl. delivery/pick up

$ 155

electric bike hire* incl. delivery/pick up

$ 375

pannier rental

$ 25 per pair

daily luggage transport

$ 600 per booking (all items must fit in a car)

bag transfer from first to last hotel

$ 35 per item

supplement for one person in a room

230* / 520 / 730 / 950

(Hostel / Economy / Comfort / Executive - category)

* =for locations without hostel

ALL PRICES are displayed in AUSTRALIAN dollars (AUD)

7.5 % high season supplement applies for all nights between Dec 20th and Jan 15th

* We do NOT deliver electric bikes to Hobart due to the high risk they got stolen. Instead, you will start cycling in Richmond. You can proceed to Richmond straight from the airport as descriped below at day 1 or use the public bus or a taxi from Hobart to Richmond.

Hostel/Budget:You will stay in a dorm where available, otherwise in basic hotels/motels (supplement applies here for single travelllers). Always shared facilities.Economy: Nothing fancy, but good value for money, mostly with shower/toilet.Comfort: Comfortable feel-well properties, all rooms with shower/toilet (few exceptions) and good breakfast. Executive: Usually the best available accommodation in the given area, some with spa.
Please note: your chosen category will be substituted when not available!

Under all circumstances you should avoid Hobart between Christmas and Jan 5th.If you cannot avoid this period you may have to accept a lower hotel quality and / or a surcharge.

What we include

> comprehensive route description from door to door, customized to your tour and the hotels you are staying in> 7 nights prebooked accommodation in stricly selected premises, comfort and breakfast level depending on category (single rooms available for an additional fee)> emergency telephone support 24/7> Available for addional charge: well maintained rental bike with extensive toolkit, lock, pump, and helmet. Panniers are available on request for a small fee.

You need to fly into Hobart airport. From there it is about 25 minutes to the city centre either by shuttle bus to curtain stops or by taxi directly to your hotel. If booked, your rental bike(s) will be waiting for you at the first night's accommodation.
If you arrive early you have a look around Tasmania's interesting capital. For instance, you could drive through the city on a double decker hop on / hop off bus or visit MONA „museum of old and new art”, which quickly became a major tourist attraction.
When you arrive later as 3 pm we suggest you let us book an additional night to enable you to explore Hobart. Alternatively, you could proceed from the airport directly to the historic village of Richmond by taxi (usually day 2). This is closer to the airport than Hobart city (15 km), from where you start cycling the next day.
Benefits are: you do not have to cycle through dense inner city traffic on your way from Hobart to Richmond and you do save one night, which can be used somewhere else, like for a second night in St. Helens to see the Bay of Fires.

Day 2, Hobart – Richmond:

This is an ideal starting day; not too long. If its a Saturday today you really shouldn't miss the famous Salamanca Market this morning before you set off on the tour. You will leave Hobart via the only cycle-way and the iconic Tasman Bridge, avoiding the main road. After about half way, a 3,5km (2.5m), rather steep ascent (8%) starts. Once down the other side, you are almost at your destination; the small, historic town of
Richmond. If you arrive early you should exlore this interesting small historic town with it´s many old fashion shops, galleries, a prison museum and of course the oldest bridge in Australia (still in operation). Minimum distance to cycle: 30km (20m)

Day 3, Richmond – Orford:

Once you've warmed-up there are some hills to climb. This will be one of the most exhausting days of the tour and there is some traffic, but there is no alternative available. You hit the magnificent east coast at your destination town. Minimum distance to cycle: 59km (36m)

Day 4, Orford – Swansea:

You'll follow the coast road. This section offers the most spectacular ocean views of the entire tour and is rather flat except one short section. You can stop and explore Spiky Bridge (built by convicts), and/or drop into Kate's Berry Farm for a yummy ice-cream. With tailwind you will arrive early. Minimum distance to cycle: 59km (36m)

Day 5, Swansea – Bicheno:

Today you have to ride over the CherryTree hill to the “tourist town” of Bicheno. There are some wineries located along the route, where you can taste their produce. One even has a lookout with a spectacular view into the Moulting Lagoon. Minimum distance to cycle: 45km (30m)

Day 6, Day off

We suggest to visit the famous Freycinet National Park (fees apply) by shuttle bus (does not operate on weekends) and to do the walk to the Wineglass Bay Lookout. You may be able to continue going down to Wineglass Bay (which is voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world by "Lonely Planet"!), and further to Hazard beach and return via a bushtrack. After dusk you can visit a penguin colony (AU $40, pre-booking recommended).

Day 7, Bicheno – St. Helens:

Today you continue north on the breathtaking, partly undulated coast road. Just 3km (2m) from Bicheno you can visit the award-winning “Nature World Animal Park” (AU $25), where you can see Tasmanian Devils and other native animals. Later in the day you can opt to go via Elephant Pass and visit the renowned Pancake Barn. After having enjoyed great coastal views you will pass a long beach, at the small holiday town of Scamander, before arriving in St Helens; the “capital” of the east coast (4500 inhabitants). Minimum distance to cycle: 75km (45m)

Day 8, Departure

We do recommand an extension night in St. Helens to explore the stunning surroundings like the nearby Bay of Fires or even do a day tour to Pyengana to see the St. Columba Falls (Tasmanias second highest) and to taste the products of the local cheese factory.
If you finish your tour you just leave the rental bikes at your hotel. You can go to Launceston or via connection to Hobart by bus, which leaves Mon-Fri at 06.15 am (during school terms only) and 8:30 am, Saturday 8.00 am (during school terms only). It needs 2 1/2 hours to Launceston city ($31.60), 2 1/2 hours to Launceston airport (taxi the last 8 km) and 4 1/2 hours to Hobart ($45 p.p.). A private transfer can also be arranged to Launceston airport for $ 230 and to Launceston city for $ 260 (up to 4 people, add $ 40 for bigger groups up to 12). If you are going to continue on our North-east Tour you will have the day to explore the many remote and beautiful beaches like the Bay of Fires, Binalong Bay or Peron Dunes.

Distance covered: 285 to 405km (172 to 245m) depending on options

Notes:All distances are approximate only and may vary. The cycling distances depend on your personal level of fitness, weather conditions, chosen options on that day, and other variable.We strongly recommend not to undertake this trip without advice or assistance. Some sections can be very exhausting, you could run out of supplies while off the main roads or just not make it to the next accommodation. In some areas all accommodation can be booked up months in advance and the next available could be up to 50km (30m) away. It can be hard to know which of the really important highlights to select as well so, better let us organise the trip for you!